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In Willmar, grandson, 2 other teens charged with killing church volunteer

Staff and wire reports

Posted:
08/02/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated:
08/03/2013 10:28:11 AM CDT

Lila Warwick, 79, was found slain in her home Monday, July 29, 2013, after authorities went to check on her welfare. Three teenage males have been charged in connection with her death. (Courtesy photo from the West Central Tribune in Willmar)

WILLMAR, Minn. -- Three teens were charged with murder Friday in the brutal death of a 79-year-old central Minnesota woman who was ambushed in her house, forced to write a check to her attacker, choked, then stabbed repeatedly with a sword-like knife, according to details in a criminal complaint.

One of the teens is the victim's grandson, the West Central Tribune reported.

On Friday, 19-year-old Brok Nathaniel Junkermeier of Willmar was charged with intentional second-degree murder, without premeditation, in Kandiyohi County District Court.

Two juveniles were also charged in the case, Devon James Jenkins, 16, and Robert Inocencio Warwick, 17, both of Willmar. They each face two counts of intentional second-degree murder, without premeditation, and unintentional second-degree murder while committing a felony. Prosecutors are seeking to have them tried as adults.

The West Central Tribune reported that the juvenile petition against Warwick said he was the mastermind of a plan to rob -- and possibly kill -- his grandmother, Lila Warwick. He believed that she had a safe in the house with more than $40,000 inside.

Lila Warwick was found in her Willmar home Monday night after authorities went to check on her welfare. Someone called authorities after she failed to show up at a meeting at Redeemer Lutheran Church, where she was a volunteer.

"Upon entering into the garage and home, deputies found evidence of homicidal violence and found the body of Ms.

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Warwick who was deceased," the complaint against Junkermeier said. Preliminary autopsy results showed she died from complex homicidal violence involving multiple stab wounds and strangulation.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, two witnesses told authorities they heard Junkermeier talk previously about killing Lila Warwick and stealing her money, but both thought he was joking. One of the witnesses said that the day after the killing, Junkermeier came to him and talked about the burglary and attack, which Junkermeier said Robert Warwick had masterminded.

According to the charges, Junkermeier told his friend that he and another teen, Jenkins, drove to Lila Warwick's house early Monday. Junkermeier had previously obtained a key to get into Warwick's garage, and went inside wearing a mask and gloves while Jenkins stayed in the car as a lookout. Junkermeier waited two hours for Warwick to enter the garage, then ambushed her and slashed her hand with a 20-inch knife.

Junkermeier told his friend that while Warwick was bleeding, he forced her to access her bank account online and write him a check for $1,500 on an account balance of $1,590. Authorities say Junkermeier later deposited that money into his bank account.

Junkermeier told his friend he then began to strangle Warwick, and when he saw she was not dead, he stabbed her multiple times then brought or threw her into the basement, the charges said. Later that day, Junkermeier and Robert Warwick returned to Lila Warwick's house and took a safe.

The charges said Junkermeier confessed to the killing when he was arrested Wednesday, and told police where to find the knife. Bloody gym shoes, a safe and 30 $1,000 savings bonds in Warwick's name were found at Junkermeier's house, the complaint said.

According to the petition against Robert Warwick, Lila Warwick's daughter, Cheri Ekbom, told investigators that Robert had grown distant from his grandmother. Ekbom believed she was trying to help him with drug use issues. Ekbom also said Robert had text-messaged her daughter around Easter, saying he hated his grandmother and could not stand her. At one point he asked how much money he would get if his grandmother were to die.

The petition against Robert Warwick also said he told investigators that while he was aware of a plan for Junkermeier to assault and rob his grandmother, he was not expecting him to kill her.

According to the West Central Tribune, Judge Donald Spilseth ordered that Jenkins and Robert Warwick continue to be held at the Prairie Lakes Juveniles Detention Center in Willmar.

Judge Michael J. Thompson set Junkermeier's bail at $2 million, or $1 million with conditions.

It was not immediately clear if Junkermeier had an attorney. An Associated Press message left with his father was not returned.

Junkermeier, a 2012 graduate of Willmar High School, has some theft-related charges on his record and was on probation at the time of Warwick's death.

The West Central Tribune reported that he was arrested at the newspaper's production department, where he worked part time.